Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yk3jwh74l9
Conservation and restoration of Pomorie Lake coastal lagoon, Bulgaria
Dimitar Popov
orcid.org/0000-0003-1873-8815
; Green Balkans NGO
Galina Meshkova
; Green Balkans NGO
Abstract
Pomorie Lake is a hypersaline lagoon on the Bulgarian Black Sea
coast. Its position along the second most important bird flyway in Europe – Via Pontica – and the existence of saltpans are the main factors defining the importance of this wetland for breeding, migrating, and wintering birds. The site hosts the largest breeding colony of Sandwich Terns on the Balkan Peninsula and significant shares of national populations of Avocet, Common Tern, Little Tern, Kentish Plover, and Black-winged Stilt. Critically endangered damselfly Dark Spreadwing Lestes macrostigma population recorded at Pomorie Lake is the most important in Bulgaria and important at the European level. Threats to the site are numerous and include tourism developments and habitat loss, disturbance of breeding birds by water sports and visitors, and developments leading to a disrupted hydrological regime. LIFE for Pomorie Lagoon project aimed to ensure a stable hydrological regime and restore bird breeding habitats. A baseline bird study revealed decreasing numbers of Sandwich Tern and Avocet due to damaged freshwater inflow control, resulting in lower salinity and flooding of nesting habitat. A restored wood-silt breeding islet had an imminent effect on the number of breeding pairs of Sandwich Terns and Avocets, with an increase of 52% and 150% on an annual basis between 2021 and 2022.
Keywords
Pomorie Lake; Natura 2000; Sandwich Tern; Avocet; Black Sea; Via Pontica
Hrčak ID:
313713
URI
Publication date:
25.1.2024.
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